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Glencore's copper production rises 13% in first half of 2013

Glencore's copper output up 13% in H1, but output of zinc and nickel drops

Mining company Glencore has posted a 13% increase in first-half copper output.

The figure was in line with market forecasts and was boosted by growth at its African and South American mines but its zinc and nickel production dipped.

The London-listed company, which is due to report half-year results next week, makes almost half of its profit from the red metal and said its total copper output using feed from its own sources rose to 741,000 tonnes in the first half of this year.

That compares with analysts' forecasts of 739,000-754,000 tonnes.

The increase in copper was mostly on the back of higher production at its Mutanda and Katanga mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo and at its Antapaccay mine in Peru.

Operational improvements at Collahuasi in Chile, a joint venture with Anglo American, also helped.

However, output of zinc, another large contributor to Glencore's bottom line, dropped 11% in the first half to 650,400 tonnes and nickel production fell 8% to 49,100 tonnes, as some mines were placed on care and maintenance.

The Koniambo mine in New Caledonia, a multi-billion greenfield project that has seen cost overruns and delays, produced 4,100 tonnes of nickel in ferronickel in the first half.

In May, Glencore said it would review its annual production target from Koniambo after flagging some start-up difficulties due to issues such as power instability and maintenance stoppages. Its previous goal for Koniambo was 55,000 tonnes by 2016 but a revised target should be announced next week.

In coal, Glencore posted a 5% increase to 71.2 million tonnes, due to some improvements at existing mines and expansion projects in Australian thermal coal.

Prices for thermal and metallurgical coal, however, are depressed due to poor demand and excess supply. Analysts expect them to remain weak in the medium term.

The miner said it received $6.5 billion after tax from the sale of its Peruvian copper project Las Bambas to a Chinese consortium earlier this year.